Capitals sign centre Lars Eller to a five-year contract extension

The Washington Capitals have signed centre Lars Eller to a five-year, &dollar;17.5 million contract extension.Forward Lars Eller won’t be testing the free agent market this summer, as the Washington Capitals signed him to a five-year, &dollar;17.5-million extension on Saturday.

The NHL released Bettman's statement Sunday morning, a day after Washington Capitals forward Devante Smith - Pelly was taunted by fans while he served a major penalty for fighting.

CHICAGO (CBS) — Four fans were ejected from the United Center Saturday night for chanting a racial taunt while Washington Capitals forward Devante Smith - Pelly served a penalty for fighting during the Capitals ’ loss to the Blackhawks.

The NHL has issued a statement condemning the actions of the four fans who racially taunted Devante Smith-Pelly during Saturday’s 7-1 Chicago Blackhawks win over the Washington Capitals.

“Last night in Chicago, individuals directed racial taunts and abuse at Washington Capitals player Devante Smith-Pelly,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman wrote. “The National Hockey League condemns this unacceptable and reprehensible behavior. The League fully supports the actions taken by the United Center and the Blackhawks to eject the offenders and would expect the same response to any similarly unacceptable behavior at any of our arenas.

Maple Leafs unveil sweaters for stadium series game vs. Capitals

The Toronto Maple Leafs have unveiled the sweaters they will wear during the upcoming Stadium Series outdoor game against the Washington Capitals. https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/962341176077676544The game will be played at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and the Maple Leafs used the Royal Canadian Navy as inspiration for their uniform design, according to the team.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Washington Capitals forward Devante Smith - Pelly says he is disgusted and saddened black athletes such as himself continue to be the targets of racial taunts from fans . “It’s sad that in 2018 we’re still talking about the same thing over and over

The NHL released Bettman's statement Sunday morning, a day after Washington Capitals forward Devante Smith - Pelly was taunted by fans while he served a major penalty for fighting.

“While this incident was isolated in nature, no player, coach, official or fan should ever have to endure such abuse at one of our games. The League will take steps to have our clubs remind all stakeholders that they are entitled to enjoy a positive environment – free from unacceptable, inappropriate, disruptive, inconsiderate or unruly behaviours or actions and may not engage in conduct deemed detrimental to that experience.”

The Capitals also sent out a statement denouncing those four fans and extended their thanks to the Blackhawks organization for dealing with the situation swiftly.

“The Washington Capitals are extremely disappointed by the intolerant behavior [sic] extended toward Devante Smith-Pelly by a select group of fans during Saturday night’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center,” Washington’s statement reads. “The Capitals organization strives to be inclusive and has zero tolerance concerning any form of racism. Such behavior [sic] is unacceptable and has no place in hockey or society. As such, it is crucial to confront such appalling conduct, and the Capitals extend their appreciation to the Blackhawks organization and United Center security for swiftly removing the fans from the game.”

Trotz speaks out on fans’ racially charged taunting of Smith-Pelly

Head coach Barry Trotz spoke out in defence of Washington Capitals winger Devante Smith-Pelly on Saturday after fans were removed from the United Center for launching racial taunts at the forward.Amid an ugly 7-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, the Washington Capitals emerged from the tilt the less embarrassed of the two organizations after four fans were removed from Chicago’s United Center for shouting racial taunts at Devante Smith-Pelly while the winger sat in the visitor’s penalty box.

The NHL has issued a statement condemning the actions of the four fans who racially taunted Devante Smith - Pelly during Saturday’s 7-1 Chicago Blackhawks win over the Washington Capitals . “Last night in Chicago

Washington Capitals right wing Devante Smith - Pelly (25) argues with Chicago Blackhawks fans from the penalty box during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb.

Smith-Pelly was verbally assaulted by a group of four Blackhawks fans while in the penalty box. According to the Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan the fans were yelling “basketball” at the Capitals winger repeatedly, forcing Smith-Pelly to get up and exchange some words with the offenders.

Fans next to the penalty box said "basketball, basketball, basketball" to Smith-Pelly when he was in the penalty box, according to a Caps spokesman. DSP was understandably upset. The off-ice official confirmed what happened and the fans were booted. That's the holdup for Trotz.

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 18, 2018

The Blackhawks ejected the abusers in question.

Statement on the incident at tonight's game pic.twitter.com/7o02AaLQwz

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 18, 2018

After the game, Capitals coach Barry Trotz had strong words for the four fans and racists, in general.

“There is absolutely no place in the game of hockey, or our country, for racism. I think it’s disgusting,” Trotz told reporters. “There’s no place for it. Athletes in this country don’t deserve that. It just shows ignorance.”

CHICAGO (CBS) — Four fans were ejected from the United Center Saturday night for chanting a racial taunt while Washington Capitals forward Devante Smith - Pelly served a penalty for fighting during the Capitals ’ loss to the Blackhawks.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Washington Capitals forward Devante Smith - Pelly says he is disgusted and saddened black athletes such as himself continue to be the targets of racial taunts from fans . “It’s sad that in 2018 we’re still talking about the same thing over and over

The NHL has issued a statement condemning the actions of the four fans who racially taunted Devante Smith - Pelly during Saturday’s 7-1 Chicago Blackhawks win over the Washington Capitals . “Last night in Chicago

Watch: Capitals ' Devante Smith - Pelly Addresses Racial Taunts From Fans at United Center. Created with Sketch. On Saturday, four fans were removed from the United Center for racist comments they made to Capitals forward Devante Smith - Pelly .

Devante Smith - Pelly had heard the "basketball" taunt before and did nothing about it. Saturday night at the United Center, however, the Washington Capitals forward felt he had to say something when four fans chanted that word three times while Smith - Pelly -- who is black -- sat in the penalty

Washington Capitals forward Devante Smith - Pelly met with the media on Sunday afternoon and discussed the incident that took place in Chicago on Saturday night when four Blackhawks fans were ejected from the game for directing racist taunts at him while he sat in the penalty box.

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